Cardiovascular Technologist or Technician

Overview and Key Facts

What Do They Do?

A cardiovascular technologist or technician could...

Overview Listen to this section

The first leading cause of death in the United States is heart disease, and the third leading cause is stroke. Cardiovascular technologists or technicians are key members of the healthcare teams that are on the front lines of treating heart and blood vessel diseases and conditions. They set up monitors and tests to help physicians diagnose heart or blood vessel problems. Then they work with physicians to treat an identified problem. For example, they might help break up a blockage in an artery going to the heart or brain, or assist in the implantation of a pacemaker. Their work restores vital blood supply to a patient's heart or brain, or reestablishes a normal heart rhythm, allowing patients to liver longer and fuller lives.

Do You Have the Skills and Characteristics of a Cardiovascular Technologist or Technician?

1. Active Listening: ? Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
2. Monitoring: ? Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
3. Speaking: ? Talking to others to convey information effectively.
4. Critical Thinking: ? Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
5. Operation Monitoring: ? Watching gauges, dials, or other indicators to make sure a machine is working properly.

6. Social Perceptiveness: ? Being aware of others' reactions and understanding why they react as they do.
7. Reading Comprehension: ? Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.
8. Service Orientation: ? Actively looking for ways to help people.
9. Judgment and Decision Making: ? Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.
10. Writing: ? Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.

Core Tasks

Think about if you'd like the typical tasks a Cardiovascular Technologist or Technician might do:

• Conduct electrocardiogram (EKG), phonocardiogram, echocardiogram, stress testing, or other cardiovascular tests to record patients' cardiac activity, using specialized electronic test equipment, recording devices, or laboratory instruments.
• Explain testing procedures to patients to obtain cooperation and reduce anxiety.
• Monitor patients' blood pressure and heart rate using electrocardiogram (EKG) equipment during diagnostic or therapeutic procedures to notify the physician if something appears wrong.
• Obtain and record patient identification, medical history, or test results.
• Monitor patients' comfort and safety during tests, alerting physicians to abnormalities or changes in patient responses.
• Attach electrodes to the patients' chests, arms, and legs, connect electrodes to leads from the electrocardiogram (EKG) machine, and operate the EKG machine to obtain a reading.
• Prepare and position patients for testing.
• Adjust equipment and controls according to physicians' orders or established protocol.
• Check, test, and maintain cardiology equipment, making minor repairs when necessary, to ensure proper operation.
• Supervise or train other cardiology technologists or students.